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Academics
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Testing and Accountability

California is evolving to a new system of testing and accountability that will weigh eight priorities, including school climate and parent engagement, to judge school progress. An education law, passed in 2013, orders a new generation of computer-based standardized tests, starting with Common Core assessments of English language arts and math in 2015.

Math and Science
April 5, 2022

Student math scores touch off ‘five-alarm fire’ in California

The pandemic compounded the challenge of teaching math at grade level when many California students may be three or four years behind.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
April 5, 2022

California’s detailed test data gives it an advantage for the road ahead

A deeper dive into the Smarter Balanced test data reveals that the news is both better and worse than we previously realized.

David Wakelyn
State Education Policy
February 1, 2022

The late state Sen. Gary Hart's legacy looms large on California education

Former state Sen. Gary Hart, who died last week at 78, authored bills allowing charter schools in California, creating a statewide student assessment and a minimum school year.

John Fensterwald
College & Careers
January 27, 2022

CSU panel recommends eliminating the use of SAT and ACT exams for admission

CSU trustees signal their intent to join the huge wave of universities dropping SAT and ACT exam requirements for admission.

Ashley A. Smith
Testing and Accountability
January 7, 2022

Standardized test scores in California fell during year in distance learning

Among the 24% of students who took the Smarter Balanced assessments in 2020-21, achievement gaps widened, and the youngest students struggled.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
Anne's Insights
December 13, 2021

When 'making the grade' takes on new meaning

I knew this year would test my personal code of ethics about grades: Effort and improvement should supersede a grade.

Anne Vasquez
Commentary
November 1, 2021

Now is the time for learner-centered, whole-child education

We must not allow our desire to return to “normal” and our conditioning to the status quo to pull us back to what was familiar before the pandemic.

Devin Vodicka, Kim Smith, Jen Holleran, and Jean-Claude Brizard
Testing and Accountability
September 10, 2021

California will give a short version of its standardized math and English tests next spring

State Board agrees to cut as much as 2 hours from lengthy Smarter Balanced assessments; parents won't receive as many details as in past.

John Fensterwald
Testing and Accountability
July 21, 2021

Tired of the same old student assessments? This fund wants to help

The Advanced Education Research & Development Fund is calling for project proposals on how assessment can be done better.

Sydney Johnson
Testing and Accountability
May 4, 2021

Hundreds of thousands of California students won’t take statewide standardized tests this spring

California released updated guidance for school districts deciding whether Smarter Balanced or a local assessment is their more viable option.

Sydney Johnson
Testing and Accountability
May 3, 2021

California state board likely to adopt long-awaited ‘student growth model’ to measure test scores

The new method of tracking individual students' Smarter Balanced scores should provide a more useful measure of schools' and districts' progress.

John Fensterwald
Testing and Accountability
April 8, 2021

Local assessments an option if Smarter Balanced tests ‘not viable,’ U.S. education officials affirm

California state officials have not yet outlined in detail what conditions must exist for a district to select an alternative assessment.

Sydney Johnson
Testing and Accountability
April 2, 2021

Local assessments an option if statewide tests aren't viable during pandemic, California officials signal

California’s plan would still offer Smarter Balanced assessments in math and English language arts, the California Science Test, as well as tests for English learners.

Sydney Johnson
Testing and Accountability
March 17, 2021

California could allow school districts to choose their own standardized tests this year

Groups opposing local assessments argue that the results will not be easily or accurately compared on a statewide level.

Sydney Johnson
Testing and Accountability
February 22, 2021

Schools must give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says

It’s been unclear whether the Biden administration would offer testing waivers as many school districts continue to operate with distance learning.

Sydney Johnson